2. The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program develops and distributes REScheck software. The software program simplifies and clarifies residential code compliance with the Model Energy Code (MEC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
REScheck software makes it easier for designers, builders, product manufacturers and code officials to comply with energy codes based on the IECC or ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 requirements. Also, REScheck
can be tailored to meet state-specific codes.
3. The department included the REScheck software edition requirement in anticipation that Version 4.1.0 would be compatible with the current code. Working with Pacific Northwest Laboratories, who contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the REScheck software, the department developed state-specific energy calculations that were not incorporated into REScheck software until Version 4.2.2. The calculations that reflect the current code are identified in the software as "Wisconsin 2009." Versions prior to 4.2.2 do not have the code choice "Wisconsin 2009."
4. Previous versions of REScheck, including Version 4.1.0, do not meet nor support the requirements of Wisconsin's current energy code. In fact, Version 4.1.0 includes other values, such as gross wall trade-offs and appliance credits that are not included in chapter Comm 22 that became effective April 1, 2009.
5. The department recognizes that without promulgating this emergency rule, there would be confusion and miscalculations surrounding the use of Version 4.1.0 and other previous and out-of-date versions of REScheck software to calculate compliance with Uniform Dwelling Code thermal envelope requirements.
Publication Date:
September 5, 2009
Effective:
September 5, 2009 through
February 1, 2010
Hearing Date:
October 21, 2009
(See the Notice in this Register)
Commerce
Financial Resources for Businesses and Communities, Chs. Comm 104—
EmR0910
— Rule adopted to create
Chapter
Comm 100
, relating to tax benefits for job creation, capital investment, employee training, and corporate headquarters.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
The Legislature, by section 9110 (4) in
2009 Wisconsin Act 2
, exempts the Department from providing evidence that this emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare; and exempts the Department from providing a finding of emergency for the adoption of this rule.
Publication Date:
June 30, 2009
Effective:
June 30, 2009 through
July 1, 2010 or the date
permanent rules take
effect, whichever is sooner
Hearing Date:
September 15, 2009
Corrections
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Corrections finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, safety and welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is:
Under
2009 WI Act 28
, an increased number of inmates are being considered for release. In addition, the department has developed a number of release initiatives to address an inmate's successful transition from incarceration to community life. As part of those initiatives, there are costs associated with that transition, including acquiring housing, employment, and transportation. For example, an inmate must have a social security card, a driver's license or state identification card, the first months rent and security deposit for an apartment, and civilian clothing.
Under the current rule, an inmate may only use release account funds for "adequate clothing for release" and for "out-of-state release transportation." In addition, the rule limits the maximum amount of money which can be saved in the release account to $500.00. The emergency rule immediately permits the use of release account money for a wide variety of purchases, including fees associated with obtaining a driver's license or state identification card, housing, and a mode of transportation (bus tickets, vehicle, bicycle, etc.). In the past the Department has borne some of these costs, despite an inmate having the money in his or her release account. Given the initiatives of reentry and release, an inmate should be responsible for these expenditures.
In addition, the emergency rule raises the limit on release accounts from $500.00 to $5,000.00. Since the current limit was established, the cost of living in the community has risen. The department seeks this change to reflect the significant costs of housing, transportation, and food and other necessities.
If the rule is not created promptly and immediately, the department will not be able to use inmate release account funds to pay for items which inmates need in preparation for their release to the community. The purpose of the emergency rule is to permit inmates to use release account funds for a greater range of expenditures related to their release from incarceration and transition back into the community. The permanent rule process has been started. However, the permanent rule process will take approximately nine months to complete. Emergency rules are necessary to respond promptly to the need to use inmate funds, not state funds, while permanent rules are being developed.
Publication Date:
September 10, 2009
Effective:
September 10, 2009
through February 6, 2010
Hearing Date:
October 14, 2009
(See the Notice in this Register)
Financial Institutions — Banking
EmR0907
— Rule adopted to create
Chapter
DFI-Bkg 47
and to repeal Chapter
DFI-Bkg 41
, relating to the transition from a registration system to a license system.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
The legislature by section
9117
of
2009 Wisconsin Act 2
provides an exemption from a finding of emergency for the adoption of the rule.
Publication Date:
May 4, 2009
Effective:
Section 1:
5-4-09 through 7-1-11
Section 2:
9-1-09 through 7-1-11
Section 3:
1-10-10 through 7-1-11
Hearing Date:
June 10, 2009
Insurance
EmR0918
— Rule adopted to revise
Chapter
Ins 6
,
relating to exempting commercial umbrella and commercial liability policies covering only hired and non-owned autos from having to offer or include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Finding of Emergency
The Commissioner of Insurance finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. Facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
Act 28 (2009) modified the requirements for auto insurance in Wisconsin. Most of these new provisions go into effect on November 1, 2009. These modifications did not specifically address the issue of insurers who write commercial liability insurance and commercial umbrella policies which insure only hired and non-owned automobiles ("HNO") under the policy but do not insure any automobiles owned by the insured.
If these new Act 28 requirements apply to commercial liability insurance and commercial umbrella policies which insure only hired and non-owned automobiles ("HNO") under the policy, this creates a significant problem. Some of these insurers do not have authority to write auto insurance which is needed to write uninsured ("UM") and underinsured coverage ("UIM"). Other insurers offering the commercial umbrella and commercial liability HNO have not ever written UM/UIM coverages because the current rules exempt them. Insurers have also stated that obtaining reinsurance for this is a problem.
This issue was addressed in 1997 when an emergency rule was promulgated and modifications to Ins 6.77 were enacted in response to various court cases. In that process, commercial insurers who wrote liability policies that covered only HNO were exempted from the requirement to offer or include UM/UIM coverage. This emergency rule would continue this exemption so that the market for commercial liability insurance and commercial umbrella policies is not disrupted.
Publication Date:
September 9, 2009
Effective:
November 1, 2009 through
March 30, 2010
Natural Resources
Fish, Game, etc., Chs. NR 1—
EmR0914
— Rule adopted to revise
Chapter
NR 10
, relating to hunting and the 2009 migratory game bird seasons and waterfowl hunting zones.
Finding of Emergency
The emergency rule procedure, pursuant to s.
227.24
, Stats., is necessary and justified in establishing rules to protect the public welfare. The federal government and state legislature have delegated to the appropriate agencies rule-making authority to control the hunting of migratory birds. The State of Wisconsin must comply with federal regulations in the establishment of migratory bird hunting seasons and conditions. Federal regulations are not made available to this state until mid-August of each year. This order is designed to bring the state hunting regulations to conformity with the federal regulations. Normal rule-making procedures will not allow the establishment of these changes by September 1. Failure to modify our rules will result in the failure to provide hunting opportunity and continuation of rules which conflict with federal regulations.
Publication Date:
August 22, 2009
Effective:
September 1, 2009 through
January 28, 2010
Natural Resources
Environmental Protection — Water Regulation,
Chs. NR 300—
EmR0915
—
A rule adopted revising
Chapters
NR 335
and
336
,
relating to grants for dam maintenance, repair, modification, or abandonment and removal.
Finding of Emergency
The substantial increase in bonding for the dam grant programs is a strong message from the legislature that concern for public welfare from unsafe dams is growing, as well as the desire to help dam owners, including the owners of the many dams damaged during the flooding in 2007 and 2008. In order to protect the public and provide this financial assistance, these additional funds should be put to work as soon as possible. The timeline for permanent rule promulgation will impede the Department's ability to accept applications and commit funding to dam safety projects until at least June 2010, which would delay most projects until late 2010 or 2011. The emergency rules will allow immediate implementation of modifications that will allow a grant application cycle to be conducted yet this fall and allow most projects to be constructed during the 2010 construction season or before.
Publication Date:
August 28, 2009
Effective:
August 28, 2009 through
January 24, 2010
Pharmacy Examining Board
Finding of Emergency
The Pharmacy Examining Board finds that, under s.
227.24 (1)
, Stats., the repeal of s.
Phar 4.02 (2)
is required for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare.
Currently, under s.
Phar 4.02 (2)
, the board administers a practical examination to determine an applicant's competence in compounding and dispensing medications, which includes consultation of patients. The board has determined that this examination is no longer needed because the competencies tested in the examination are also tested in two other national examinations that applicants are required to take in order to obtain a license in Wisconsin. The board has also determined that the practical examination requirement may contribute to the shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin.
First, under s.
Phar 4.02 (1)
and
(3)
, an applicant is required to take and pass the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Both of these examinations test competencies that relate to subject areas that are also tested in the practical examination. As a result, applicants are required to take an additional examination, and pay an additional examination fee. In some instances, this step may also result in a delay in the processing of applications for licensure.
Second, in reference to the shortage of pharmacists in Wisconsin, the board has found that populations in rural areas and in certain city neighborhoods are underserved. The board believes that, because of its practical examination requirement, potential applicants from other states are declining to seek licensure in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is one of only four states that require a practical examination. None of the states that border Wisconsin have a practical examination requirement.
Publication Date:
February 28, 2009
Effective:
February 28, 2009 through
July 27, 2009
Extension Through:
November 24, 2009
Hearing Date:
April 8, 2009
Public Instruction (2)
1.
EmR0916
—
A rule adopted revising
ss.
PI 35.03
and
35.05
, relating to establishing a fee under the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
Pursuant to Section 9139 (3) of the nonstatutory provisions of
2009 Wisconsin Act 28
, the Department of Public Instruction is not required to provide evidence that this rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency.
Publication Date:
September 1, 2009
Effective:
September 1, 2009 through
January 28, 2010
(Except Section 1)
Effective:
October 1, 2009 through
February 27, 2010
Hearing Date:
October 26, 2009
(See the Notice in this Register)
2.
EmR0921
— Rule adopted to create
Chapter
PI 15
, relating to revenue limit exemptions for energy efficiencies.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
Pursuant to Section 9139 (2x) of the nonstatutory provisions of
2009 Wisconsin Act 28
, the Department of Public Instruction is not required to provide evidence that this rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency.
Publication Date:
September 4, 2009
Effective:
September 4, 2009 through
January 31, 2010
Hearing Date:
November 9, 2009
(See the Notice in this Register)
Public Service Commission
Finding of Emergency
The Commission finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of
the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. The police and fire protection fee, which must go into effect September 1, 2009, (
2009 Wisconsin Act 28
section
9441
) will be used to replace shared revenue payments for such services. To ensure the public peace, health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Wisconsin, it is vital for funding of police and fire protection services to continue smoothly, quickly, and unimpeded. Thus, it is necessary for the rule administering the fee to be implemented as soon as possible.
Publication Date:
September 11, 2009
Effective:
September 11, 2009
through February 7, 2010
Regulation and Licensing (2)
1.
EmR0827
— Rule adopted creating
s.
RL 91.01 (3) (k)
, relating to training and proficiency in the use of automated external defibrillators for certification as a massage therapist or bodyworker.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
Section 41 (2) (b) of the nonstatutory provisions of
2007 Wisconsin Act 104
provides that notwithstanding section
227.24 (1) (a)
and
(3)
of the statutes, the department of regulation and licensing is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated to implement
2007 Wisconsin Act 104
. Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (c)
and
(2)
of the statutes, these emergency rules will remain in effect until the date on which the final rules take effect.
Publication Date:
September 10, 2008
Effective:
September 10, 2008
through the date on which
the final rules take effect
Hearing Dates:
November 26, 2008
April 13, 2009
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
Section 41 (2) (b) of the nonstatutory provisions of
2007 Wisconsin Act 104
provides that notwithstanding section
227.24 (1) (a)
and
(3)
of the statutes, the department of regulation and licensing is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated to implement
2007 Wisconsin Act 104
. Notwithstanding s.
227.24 (1) (c)
and
(2)
of the statutes, these emergency rules will remain in effect until the date on which the final rules take effect.
Publication Date:
September 10, 2008
Effective:
September 10, 2008
through the date on which
the final rules take effect
Hearing Date:
November 26, 2008
Revenue
EmR0912
— Rule adopted revising
Chapter
Tax 2
, relating to combined reporting for corporation franchise and income tax purposes.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Revenue finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is:
The function of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is to administer the Wisconsin tax laws. These laws, and tax policy for raising revenue, are determined by the State Legislature. The State Legislature recently enacted numerous items of tax legislation, affecting individuals and businesses alike. Some of these apply retroactively to January 1, 2009. Emergency rules are needed, not only to address the risk of revenue loss, but to add more clarity and certainty about the scope and application of the newly enacted statutes.
Publication Date:
August 8, 2009
Effective:
August 8, 2009 through
January 4, 2010
Hearing Dates:
September 25, 2009 and
October 16, 2009
Transportation
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Transportation finds that an emergency exists and that an emergency rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health and safety. Current federal law at
23 USC 406
provides safety belt performance grants to a state that has in effect and is enforcing a conforming primary safety belt use law for all passenger motor vehicles. A grant of federal funds estimated at roughly $15,000,000 are available if this state is eligible on or before September 30, 2009; a secondary grant based on "share of unallocated funds," estimated at not more than $1,000,000, may be available if this state is eligible on or before June 30, 2009. The Wisconsin Legislature is currently deliberating a primary safety belt use law as part of the executive biennial budget bill, 2009 Assembly Bill 75, with the aim of qualifying for safety belt performance grants. Were the law timely enacted, this state could remain ineligible for safety belt performance grants because Department rules allow persons other than physicians to grant medical exemptions from safety belt use requirements. Immediate action is necessary to avoid forfeiting approximately $16,000,000 in federal funds for highway safety activities. Increased use of safety belts has been shown to reduce the severity of injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions, and limiting the medical use exemption to physicians would increase use of safety belts.
Publication Date:
June 25, 2009
Effective:
June 25, 2009 through
November 21, 2009
Hearing Date:
September 8, 2009
Veterans Affairs
EmR0911
— Rule adopted to revise section
VA 2.01
, relating to the assistance to needy veterans grant program.
Finding of Emergency
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs finds that an emergency exists and that the rules are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare. A statement of facts constituting the emergency is: The economic recession in effect for the last fiscal year has adversely affected the veteran population. Many veterans have lost their employment or had their scope of employment reduced. In addition to losing employment, many veterans have seen their health care reduced or eliminated. In order to serve the largest population of veterans and ensure minimal health care for that population, the department is requesting emergency rules to define "vision care and to limit the eligibility, by available funding, for "dental care", "hearing care", and "vision care". These eligibility limitations, which address the cost, type and frequency of care available under the program, will allow more veterans in need to access the limited resources of this program.
Publication Date:
July 1, 2009
Effective:
July 1, 2009 through
November 27, 2009
Hearing Date:
August 14, 2009
